Box mounting



Jan. 20, 19311. c. A. JoHNsoM BOX MOUNTING Filed June 21, 1926' either the clamping, 'or

Patented Jan. 20, 1931 U-Nirsn stars j CHESTER A. JOHNSON, OF oH-IoAGd-ILLINoIs, .essIoNon Tojasrrnnsorrntnornio COMPANY, OF CHICAGO, ILLINOIS, A CORPORATION on ILLINOIS Y 'j Box MOUNTING Application led June 21,

This invention relates generally to switchv siredjth'at they be supported. In my copend-A p'ingapp'lication Serial No; 62,949, filed @ctober 17,1925, have shown a box mounted slidably "on two parallel bars secured V1.5 across spaced studs. The box. disclosed'has slotted projections through whichv the bars extend to provide al retaining engagement and aslidable relation; This construction necessitates threading of the bars into the ..20 slot-s before both ends' of any bar roanibe mounted. A channel bar'is disclosed, and the arrangementA further is such that,l when mounted, the baris twisted-audits sid-es in part' clamped together in such a manner that twisting, or both, serve to bind" the 'bar on the edges of-the slot, therebyto prevent sliding; 'The present invention preserves substantially all the advantages of the prior construction, and :3o provides in addition certain other advantages wliichfwill hereinafter be more apparent;

`@ne object of the present invention] is to provide the box with receiving members for the supporting Vbars which members are Open at the ends to engage a bar by movei ment laterally toward the bar.

'Another-object is to provide bar-engaging members which encompass the spaced bars whereby to holdthem'trom separation after `the box has been mounted. j

Still another object Vis to provide` bar-L engaging means projecting frorn thebox and so formed that they arev rigid and sturdy in construction and-free from a liability toinjury on accidental dropping or other mistreatment of the box. j

Various other objects and advantages of the invention will ybe apparent from the fol-- Vlowing description ofthe yexemplary embodi- 1926. Serial No, 117,277.

ment of the invention shown in theV accom-V panying. drawings. y y

`nt-he drawings the invention is illustrated as applied-.to a switch box mounted in a wall composedy ot studsto which' wooden lathing Q and iplaster are applied; therefore, lathsupporting means are also illustrated as a part of `the device. y Y

In the drawings, Y Y Figure lrepresents a switch box mounted between studs on a wooden lath. wall.l

Fig. 2 is an enlarged full sizecl-viewota sel switchbox takenon the line Q-QOFig l.

Fig. 3v is a cross section. of the box; talren on the line 3-3 of Fig. 2. Y Figeis a View of the bars and bar-engap- Y ing means takenon the line Ll of Fig. l.'

Fig. 5 is a detail;tragmentaryview shoving the manner Yof hanging the box K on `a bar in the processof mounting.

, iklthoughthe drawings Aand the descrip'-y tion, hereinafter following, are A,detailed vwith reference tothe preferredY embodiment ot Y the invention, it is to be understood that this is not to be considered `as a 'limitation of theV inventionto theform shown.` The invention is capable ofY a variety'of modifications and alternativeY constructions, such4 as may fallv within the scope of the appended claims.

The preferredembodiment of the invention as yshown in the drawings comprises, in generahtfhel combination ot a switch box `l0,

parallel supporting bars 11 and.12,and barengagingmeans carriedf by the box and generally designated 13. The wall in which the box is mounted' comprises in the4 present instance spaced' studs`I 14 and 15 and wooden laths 16, som'eof whichfare interceptedby the box in mounted position, thus presenting free projecting lath-ends'-v The box 'when mounted is usedY also for supporting the tree ends 17 of the interceptedlathing. F or this mr ose there i'sem loved on each side of the box achannel member 18. formed preferably of sheet metal. The lath'cliannels 18 'are suitably secured to the sides ofthe boxes by i spotwelds 2O. Each` lath channel comprises ab'ottomspo'rtion 21, a V front side 22, and a rear. side23, all three partsextendingbeyond the rear ace29 ot'- the bar.Y The bar is adapted end.4 of the box to form the bar-engaging means 13.

The supporting bars are preferably also channel shaped and are mounted with the openings 24 thereof directed away from each other fora vpurpoLe which will be more apparent hereinafter. Each lath-channel bottom 21 is recessed as at 25 from its end to re ceive a bar ll or 12 and the recess 25 is shaped i, to conform within certain limitations to the Y the box is firmly held between the bars against removal therefrom. n

' in the present instance it will be noted that the bars 11 and12 have rounded bottoms 26 and that the recess is so` `formed that the bar may turn in the recess. This is due particularly to the abrupt termination of the rear-side 23 of eachlath channel, whereby the edge of recess 25 does not Contact the corresponding side of a bar 11 or 12. However,

means is provided otherwise to prevent turning of the bar inthe recess and yet to obtain Ill the advantages of an open ended receiving recess for thek bars.v One particular reason Vfor mounting the channel bars with the channel bases toward each other is to provide two spaced horizontal parallel members about which the Vbox may be clinched. The front sides 27 'of the channel bars ilA and 12 pro: vide such members in the torni ofstrips over the edges of which engage clinching means on the box.

In the present instance the front side 22 of the lath channel is extended and bent over to form a hook 28 projecting over and into the recess 25. Opposing hooks 28 may thus clinch the bars il and l2, there being two onV each end of the box as shown inthe drawing. In addition, each hook 28, cooperating with the edge of the recess 25, provides the means to prevent turning or" the bars in the recesses.

The short rear latin-channel side 23 permits the channel bar to'be associated with the lathchannel members'by a sort of rollingn motion when entering the .recess-25-. Thisis indicated by the fragmentary view in Fig.l 5,. Such rolling-in action is pivotal about the cuter edge of thefront bar face 2T and the bottom of the groove under the hook 28.

The bar receiving means, such as the recess 25 and the hook 28, is so disposed that the channel bars 1l and 12 are angularly directed, thatis, eachbar in the present instance has a flat side 29 inclined to the verti cal plane. rihis iat side is indicated as the to be secured as by nails 30 to one of the studs le or l5. It is therefore provided with a i sliding motion.

spaced nail holes 31 which, in the present instance, pass through both sides 27 and 29 of the bar. Each end of the bar is thus adapted to be nailed to a stud, and as illustrated, bothends are thus secured although this is not necessary. When properly mounted in the wall each bar has its flat side 29 Vlying Vin a vertical plane; butbecause each bar is angularly disposed at the box, each bar becomes twisted on mounting, the bar 11, Fig. 2, tending to turn clockwise at the box. As it held by the hook 28 andthe recess 25, turning of the bar clockwise is impossible. The bar thus bears against the edge of the recess. Said recess 25, being formed in sheet metal stock, presents a very `sharp edge whichreccivcs considerable Jforce from the torsion in the bar and thus holds the box against sliding readily along the parallel bars.

' ln mounting a box on a side wallthe most practical procedure is iirst'to mount thetopA ll with the U opening upwardly.A When a nail -30 is used, it is unnecessary to insert so'deeplyinto the stud 4lll/that both sides are squeezed flatly together. However, this can be done to any extent desired or permit'- ted by the bar without interteringpwitli the desirable relations of thej parts. The bar material maybe made suiliciently rigid so that squeezing of the sides together is uunccessary, and preferablyit is thus so rigid in order to resist the torsion produced. Suc-h a mounting of the bar vwill cause" the same to be disposed with bot-h sides l2'? and 29 in a vertical plane.Y Thebox .is vthen associated with the bar by relatively entering the bar into the recess 25, this being done in the present instance bya rolling-in action to engage underthe hooi( 28. This done the bar hangs.A

box is now brought intov action. As the boxV has preferably a duplicate end structure the relation of the bar to box is substantially like" that desc'ribed'for mounting' the vfirst bar, but the mounting steps arev diiierent. Thelower bar 12 is associatedrwith-the box by a similar rolling-in action. Pressure on the lower end of the box toinove it into the vertical plane of the wall necessarily twists 'the -upper bar ll thus bindingthe-box against The lower barvis thenv nailed into place, and as it is xedly secured against the stud it becomes twisted in a manner similar to the upper bar, the twisting binding the box-to hold it against sliding. vThis construction securely holds the box and the bars together, the bars being encompassed by the clinching hoolrs28 which are provided on the ends'oi:` the box whereby to prevent separation of a bar and 'the'boX, endwise of the boitV and laterally of the bar.' j f A a point removed from the box in parallelv I claim as my invention: l. A box mounting comprising, 1n combination, a box, a pair of bars of'irregularA cross section adapted to be mounted in spaced parallel relation in a Wall, projecting hooked means on the ends of the box adapted to en- Ygage and partially' to encompass said tWo Jars, and means adapted to engage each barto compel tWisting'the bar betweenV a mounted end and tie box.

2. A boxA mounting having, in combination, a box, lath receiving channel stripsfsecured to the side of the box and extending beyond the ends thereof, said extending ends each having the base` of the channel recessed relation in a Wall, said means engaging said bars atan angle to the engagement of saidA bars with said box to tend to rotate said bars in the direction resisted by the hooks on said box. Y

3. A box mounting comprising, in combi-k nation, a box,ra pairoil flat sided bars adapted tol be mounted in spaced parallel vrelation in a Wall, means projecting outwardly from each end of the box, each of saidimeans being recessed at the Vend to receive a bar and having means thereon adaptedto engage saidbar to prevent relative rotation thereon in one direction, said recesses being angular With respect to the front face of the box to compel said bar to twist in the resisted direction when i said box is mounted in the Wall. Y

4. Abox mounting comprising, Ain combi# nation, a pair of lbars adapted to be mounted in a Wall in spaced parallel relation, a box having members secured thereto and extending beyond oppositersides of said box, saidY members-being recessed at an angle to the front of the box to Yreceive said bars therein,y

means engaging said bars to prevent rotation in one direction relatively to-saidl box,

d ac l from said box for mount- Y t an means Sp ec bination, a box, a pair of bars adapted to be ing said bars in the Wall, said means being adapted in mounting to tend to rotate said bars against the engaging means on said box.

5. A box'mounting comprising, in co1nbination, a box, a pair oi: bars adapted to be mounted in a Wall in spaced parallel relation, and means on said box adapted to engage each of said bars in non-rotative rela- Y vtion in one direction and atan angle to the yplane Aof the Wall, each of said bars When *mounted inthe Wall being adapted tomaintain said box substantially `parallel to the plane of the Wall against the torsional force produced inY the other kbar byy moving the boxinto' the plane of the Wall.

6. A box mounting comprising, in combination, abar adapted to be mounted in aivall, a box, means on said box engaging said bar y at an angle to the planeof the Wall, said en- Y gaoement beine' suchas to arevent relative Y L@ *D f. v rotation therebetween inone direction, and

ymeans engaging` sai-dbox to draw saidl box in the iesisteddiiection substantially into the lplane of said'wall. v i

Abox mounting comprising, in combination, a bar having a longitudinaljopening therein adapted to be mounted infal Wall, a boxmeans on saidbox'engaging the opening in saidfbai" atrananglev to the plane ofthe Wall, and means for holding said box ink the plane ofthe Wall against theresisting-l torsional force'of said bar after said'box has been moved from the engaging to the mounting position.

" 8. VA box mounting comprising, in combination a-bar-ada ted to be mounted ina Wall 7 7 va box', means providing anen'gagement between said box and saidbar, said engagement being at an angle to the planeof the Wall, and means engaging 'said box tomaintain said box substantially inthe planeet-said Wall againstthe torsional force of said bar created When said boxis'move'd Jiromfitsbar engaging position t'ojits normalmount'edv position. p 9. A` box mounting comprising, in combination, a. box, aapair of bars" adapted to be mounted in spaced parallel relationina Wall,

means on said box `adapted to .engage 'saidbars to prevent relativerrotation therebetween in one'direction, andmeans Vfor?twistingsaid? Y."

box against s'aidbarsinfthe resisted direction tol maintain said box in mounted position.

10.1A box mounting comprising,y in combination, av box, a pair of barsadapted to be mounted in a Wall in parallelrelation, means n, on saidl box: adapted toi-engage "one" of said ,barsv atan angletoQthe'planeJ-'of said bars,

and nmeans on saidffbox adapted to engageY the other of said bars tojhold said box sub-v stantially parallel to the-planeet said bars whereby the first mentioned'bar Will be twisted to lmaintain the box in mounted position. 11. A box mounting comprising, in commounted in a Wall in spaced parallelrelation, and means providing an interlocking engagement between said bars and box ar ranged to clamp said box to the bars when the bars and box'are in their normal mounted position, saidengagement being releasable only When'said box is out of its normal mounted position. n f

12A box mounting comprising, in-com' bination, a box, a pair of bars of irregular cross vsection adapted to be mounted in a Wall in spaced parallelrelation, and meansgon said box providing an interlocking engagement with said bars, said engagement being possible only at an angle to the normal possi!y tion of the box in the Wall toincluce a torsional forcein the bars WhenV thebox is in its normal position. Y n

13.. A box mounting comprising, inL combination, a bar adapted to be mountetl. in a Wall,v a` box,`means` on said box capable of y freely engaging or releasing lsaicl bar only when said box is at an angle to the plane of the WalLancl means for mounting the box in parallelism with the plane of 'the Wall.

14.1K box Y'mounting comprising, in coinbination, a bar adapted to be mounted in a w Wall, a boxpmeans on said box engaging oi' releasing said bar only when said box 1s at an angle to the plane of the Wall, and means for holding said box in the plane of said Wall a tei' said box has been moved into such o a plane againstthe resisting torsional force of said bar. e Y

15. The method oi' securing a switch box in an adjustably ixecl position between VtWo studs 'Which comprises mounting a bar be- 25 tween two studs, associating the b ox slitlably but non-rotatably with bar with the 1face oijsaicl box at an angle to the plane of the Wall, moving-the box against the torsional force of the bar to bringthe face of the box 30 into the plane ofthe Wall anclvbincl the box against sliding movement on thebar, and

securing the box in this position.

16. Thermethocl of securing a switch boxin an adjustablyixed position which in- :5 clutles the steps oi' ei'lecting a non-rotatable engagement between the box and a stationary Wall part so. that tlierfront face of the box A is atan angleV to the plane of the Wall, moving the front face of the box substantially IH, into the pane of the Wall against the resist- Y ing force of saidk non-rotatable engagement, andV securing 'the box in the last mentioned`Y position.-

In' testimony WhereoiV Ihave hereunto af- *u fixed my signature.

oHEsTiER A. JoHNsoN.

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